The Avengers: Tech Used by Earth's Mightiest Heroes

Before they took their toys to the movies, Iron Man, Captain America, and friends used these technological wonders to save the world.

And lo, there came a day when Earth's mightiest heroes came together to save the day. Today, May 4th, marks the U.S. release of what is sure to be one of the year's biggest movies (it's already grossed more than $250 million overseas), The Avengers. But this is not the first time these Marvel Super Heroes have come together. Avengers have been assembling in one form or another since September 1963, when the first line-up (including the Incredible Hulk) dealt with the machinations of Loki. In almost 50 years, the team has used or created so much amazing technology and if just one of these things were tangible, the world would be a very different place. They've also had their fair share of tech mishaps, but more on the scale of potential Armageddon than just a water-logged smartphone.

From weapons to vehicles to artificial intelligence, the Avengers have been at the forefront of super-heroic tech advances (along with their pals over in the Fantastic Four, who have a lot of tech to deal with too, including H.E.R.B.I.E. and the Fantasti-Car). Of course, it helps that two of the founding members of the Avengers are Tony Stark, head of Stark Industries, who also doubles as his own body-guard named Iron Man; and Dr. Henry "Hank" Pym, a genius in sub-atomic particles and entomological communication, but not so great with robotic A.I. and an utter disaster at interpersonal relationships. (It's a shame only one of them is in the movie, because there's no way having a hero named Ant-Man who beats his wife would hurt the film, right? Maybe in the sequel.)

Between those two brains and an unlimited budget, plus help from S.H.I.E.L.D., the African country of Wakanda, and the occasionally happy accident, the Avengers have saved Earth on multiple occasions using some very cool technology. Here's our run down of the greatest inventions created by or for Captain America, Hawkeye, Black Widow, Iron Man, Thor, and the rest of the hundreds of heroes who've carried an Avengers ID card.

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Captain America's Shield

Captain America's Shield

There are few artifacts in the Marvel Universe as iconic or important as Captain America's disc-shaped shield. It was created by accident—much like Steve Roger's being the only recipient of the Super Soldier Serum—by mixing adamantium and vibranium, the two coolest fake metals ever. The former is indestructible (just ask Wolverine; it's on his bones), and the latter absorbs all kinetic energy because it's from outer space. (A meteor of the stuff sits ever-protected in Wakanda. We told you the place was important.) Together, these two alloys (called "proto-adamantium") made his shield the most kick-ass tech next to Iron Man's armor.

Okay, lots of people have broken it in half in the last few years, but hopefully those Asgardian dwarves who fixed it last time know what they're doing.